Animated window display

ABSTRACT

A continuously operating display device, movable as a unit, placeable at an angle to the horizontal if desired, repeat performance device, for lifting and dropping a feature display item, such as a Santa Claus figurine, in a confined path and including a driven endless chain with means thereon to engage the figurine for lifting it and then releasing the figurine for gravity fall.

'United States Patent [191 Langer ANIMATED WINDOW DISPLAY [76] Inventor: Dennis W. Langer, 2310 Plover Road, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. 54494 [22] Filed: Feb. 22, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 444,697

[52] US. Cl. 40/l06.3; 40/106.25; 46/119 [51] Int. (Ll. G09F 19/02 [58] Field of Search 40/32, 36, 106.3, 106.31,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 568,854 10/1896 Kenny 40/l06.3l X 850,027 4/1907 Lynch 40/36 1,047,904 12/1912 Bienhoff 40/36 1,224,261 5/1917 Billerman 40/36 Nov. 4, 1975 1,368,533 2/1921 Aimes 40/36 2,896,368 7/1959 Higley.... 46/132 X 3,159,935 12/1964 Rubens 40/l06.31 3,393,470 7/1968 Salvador 40/106.3l X

Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Vance Y. Hum

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT A continuously operating display device, movable as a unit, placeable at an angle to the horizontal if desired, repeat performance device, for lifting and dropping a feature display item, such as a Santa Claus figurine, in a confined path and including a driven endless chain with means thereon to engage the figurine for lifting it and then releasing the figurine for gravity fall.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,916,548

AAA

U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 2 of 2 3,916,548

Fig. 3

ANIMATED WINDOW DISPLAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a store window display devices which are eye-catching and positionable as desired, by the window designer.

2. Summary of the Prior Art Related prior art in the field of animated displays, including animated toy devices is believed to be exemplified by the following prior US. patents: Henrichsen, U.S. Pat. No. 893,922, issued July 21,1908;Esser, U.S. Pat. No. 1,579,602, issued Apr. 6, 1926;1(reutzer, U.S. Pat. No. 2,304,697, issued Dec. 8, 1942; and Carmichael, U.S. Pat. 2,402,949, issued July 2, 1946.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended for use in a store window display and similar environments.

Some of the objects and advantages of this device are as follows:

A. Continuous, trouble-free operation.

B. Can be positioned in other than a horizontal position, as all movable parts are guided in confined paths of movement.

C. Economical to manufacture and wear parts are I readily replaceable.

D. Features (A)(C) can be used by a window designer to blend this item into a large display area, as desired.

The above together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully described and subsequently claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the overall device, showing the figurine above the main housing, in dotted lines, prior to its descent to the solid line position viewable through the opening at the bottom of the main housing.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a plane generally designated by the section line 2--2 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a plane generally designated by the section line 33 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is an expanded, partial, cross-sectional view exaggerated to show the cushioning that takes place at the time of gravity impact when the Santa Claus figurine hits the resilient landing surface.

FIG. 4 is a detailed, generally cross-sectional view of the device showing the figurine just before it is released for descent by gravity, and, portions of the guiding means therefor.

FIG. 5 is a further detail view, showing the motive power means and ancillary display means.

FIG. 6 is an exploded, detailed, perspective view of 'the figurine supporting, and landing surface contact portions, of the support member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the figures, and more particularly FIG.

l, the overall device is designated by reference numeral l0. 12 represents the outer housing which may have a seasonal, or other, design incorporated thereon, or covering the same such as the illustrated fireplace and chimney. 14 represents an opening in the lower frontal portion of said outer housing 12. The figurine is denoted by reference character 16, (however, note that a simulated U.S. flag could be used for a July 4th display), the support member for the figurine is denoted by 18; and, the resilient landing or cushioning surface is 20.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 22 represents generally the internal supporting structures. Reference numeral 24 designating a generally channel-shaped, verticallyextending supporting means having an opening 26 to receive (from top to bottom) that portion 28 of the figurine support member 18 that extends from under the figurine 16 into contact with the illustrated chain-type conveying means 30.

The conveying chain 30 may have one, or more, projections 32, and the chain elements move continuously in the direction indicated by the arrow 34 (FIG. 4), powered by the motor drive means 36 (FIG. 5). The lead cables or wires 38-40 may lead to a common terminal, or to separate terminals, to provide a further connection to a power source (not shown) for powering the motor 36, and various devices such as the illustrated light bulb assembly 42, other advertising or display features, audible sound-producing devices, and similar paraphernalia.

The chain conveying means 30 is driven directly, with suitable safety clutch features, by the motor 36. One, or more, of the projections 32 extend outwardly from the closed loopchain means 30; and, they are of such dimensions as to contact the underside of the figure support member 18; adjacent that portion 28 of the support member 18 that extends through the opening 26 of the generally channel-shaped member 24. Between the figurine support 18 and the projection(s) 32, a vertically extending guide rod 44, extending substantially from the top to the bottom of the overall device, is surrounded by a'collar-like, or sleeve member 46, sliding on, and surrounding said guide rod 44, which sleeve 46 further has an extending lip 48 which makes direct contact with the projection(s) 32. When the chain 30 is driven in the direction of the arrow 34, by motor 36, the projection(s) 32 makes contact with lip 48, near the bottom of the ascending flight of the chain 30, and the projection(s) 32 disengages from the lip 48 near the top of the overall device (i.e., adjacent the arrow 34 of FIG. 4). Upon disengagement, the figurine (now extending above housing 12, per the dotted line showing in FIG. 1 and the solid line showing in FIG. 4), and its support descends by gravity, guided by the channel-shaped member 24 and rod 44, until the bottom of the figurine support 18 strikes the cushioning or landing surface 20. By providing plural projections 32, the time interval between the ascent and descrnt of Santa may be varied (within the vertical dimensions of the overall device), by providing such plural projections 32, to'increase the number of trips Santa makes with each complete cycle of movement of the chain conveying means 30.

The channel-shaped member 24 (or, as viewed in FIG. 2, a plural channeled structure) extends from adjacent the bottom to adjacent the top of the overall device, members 50-S2 defining the opening 26 that receives the portion 28 of the support 18, and guides the figurine support in its vertical ascent and in its gravity drop. A vertical backing plate 52 behind the flight of the chain 30 adjacent the figurine support 18 prevents the chain from flexing away from the support 18 and retains this flight of the chain parallel to guide rod 44. Further fastening and plate-type supporting means 54, adjacent 52, support the motor 36, its drive shaft, and the upper and lower sprocket means 56 and 58, respectively, providing the main supports for the overall drive means. Further rigidifying and supporting means 60-60 (e.g., the slotted plates, wing nut assemblies, or similar structures) may be added to lend further strength to the device; depending upon the choice of materials selected for the various static and movable portions of the overall device. Similarly, at 62--62, may be found internal corner supports and rigidifying means, as needed.

The diverse elements and sub-combinations, within the overall device, including the movable as well as the static portions of the device, may be made of various alloys, metals, plasterboards, plastics (foamed or dense), woods, etc.; the relative dimensions, and densities chosen from the selected materials, determine the weight of the individual parts, as well as the total weight of the overall device; and similarly, they determine the limits of relative factors such as flexibility versus rigidlty, strength or stress under load and/or impact conditions, and similar considerations.

Turning to FIGS. 3, 3A and 6, and noting particularly the bottom porltions of FIGS. 3 and 3A, and the exploded view in FIG. 6, the figurine 16, of whatever con figuration, is fastened to the supporting member 18, by ane, or more, headed fastening means 6464. Headed fastening means, as used here, and in the :laims, is intended to include various hemisphericallyneaded, hex-headed, T-headed, or similarly headed fas- :ening means such as bolts, nails, rivets, screws, and similar fastening means, either covered, or uncovered, 3y cap means such as illustrated at 6666. The prime 'equisite being that the headed portion of the fastening neans gives an additional depth dimension, below :he bottom surface of the support member 18. This idded depth dimension, assures plural, sequential, Joints of contact between: first, the headed portion of he fastening means; then secondly, portions of the bot- .om surface of the support member 18, when these first.

1nd second structures come into contact, sequentially, vith the resilient landing or cushioning surface 20, as iest shown by comparing FIGS. 3 and 3A, in the drawngs. Further resilience, and, additional depth may be )rovided by providing plastic or rubber caps 6666, as llustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3A, to assist in cushioning the :ontact, at the time of gravity impact, when the figurine md its support is dropped. Again, the headed fastening neans may be either covered or uncovered. As previvusly indicated, and by way of example only, it is eadily observed, by the exploded view of FIG. 6, that he portion 28 is readily received in a hollow, tubular, leeve-like portion 68 on support 18. Thus, the various ub-combinations denoted by reference character 16, 8, 20 (FIGS. 3-3A), 64, 66 and 28-46-48, which make epeated impact type contacts, may be readily replaced pon breakage, wear, or similar happenings. Further, nd as indicated above, the plural, sequential, impact ontacts may be modified, to further enhance the relacement and wear characteristics, by providing the cap-type members 66-66. Still further, design considerations may dictate a singular headed fastening means, a pair, a triangular arrangement of headed fasteners to give a tripod type of impact contact, or similar arrangements. By way of further example, the base member which underlies the entire tubular outer housing 12 may be, for example, of 3/4 inch plywood, and the channel-shaped member 24 may be of metal.

The foregoing is considered to be illustrative only, with respect to the principles of the invention, at pesent setting forth the best mode of construction and arrangement. However, numerous modifications and changes may readily occur to those skilled in the art, and, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact description above. Therefore, suitable modifications and equivalents, falling within the scope of the invention, may be resorted to, in practicing the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A display device comprising an upstanding guide member, a display assembly including a guided member movably supported by said guide member and being guided thereby during generally vertical movement, and endless flexible member supported with a portion thereof parallel with the guide member and disposed adjacent thereto, means on said flexible member to engage said display assembly when adjacent the bottom of the guide member and to disengage from the display assembly when adjacent the top of the guide member, means driving the flexible member in a direction to lift the display assembly along the guide member and release the display assembly when it reaches a point adjacent the upper end of the guide member for free gravitational movement of the display assembly down the guide member independent of the flexible member, and means concealing a major portion of the guide member and display assembly during a major portion of its movement and revealing the display assembly at the top and bottom portions of its movement, rigid means extending alongside the portion of the flexible member parallel to the guide member and positioned on the opposite side of the flexible member from the guide member and forming a guide surface for maintaining the portion of the flexible member parallel to the guide member in a straight condition thereby maintaining said engaging means on the flexible member in engagement with the display assembly, said flexible member being in the form of an endless sprocket chain, a pair of vertically spaced sprocket gears, said chain being entrained over said sprocket gears, said rigid means being in the form of a vertically disposed plate engageable with the inner surface of the portion of the chain disposed adjacent the guide member, said means on the flexible member being in the form of a projection on the exterior of the chain for movement around the sprocket gears whereby the projection moves into a path parallel to the guide member as it moves around the lower sprocket gear and moves out of a path parallel to the guide member as it moves around the upper sprocket gear thereby engaging with and disengaging from the display assembly, said guide member being in the form of a vertically disposed guide rod, said guided member on the display assembly including a vertically disposed sleeve slidably mounted on the guide rod, said sleeve including a projecting lip on the upper end thereof disposed in the path of movement of the projection on the endless chain, the portion of the sleeve opposite to the lip having a projecting pin,

said display assembly including a figurine connected to the pin, and vertical, laterally spaced guide plates paralleling the guide rod and receiving the projecting pin therethrough for preventing swinging movement of the sleeve and figurine about the vertical axis of the guide rod thereby maintaining the projecting lip on the sleeve in position for engagement by the projection on the endless chain.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means concealing the major portion of the guide member and the display assembly during a major portion of its movement including a housing including a front panel simulative of a chimney and including a recess in the lower portion thereof simulative of a fireplace in which the figurine is positioned at its lower position with the figurine being elevated to a position above the top edge of the simulative chimney whereby the figurine moves vertically between a position within the fireplace to a position above the upper edge of the chimney, said figurine being simulative of Santa Claus.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said housing includes a base having a resilient pad thereon engageable by the display assembly when it moves to a lower position for cushioning the display assembly and figurine when it strikes the base, said display assembly including a plate underlying the figurine, and means detachably securing the figurine to the plate to enable replacement thereof. 

1. A display device comPrising an upstanding guide member, a display assembly including a guided member movably supported by said guide member and being guided thereby during generally vertical movement, and endless flexible member supported with a portion thereof parallel with the guide member and disposed adjacent thereto, means on said flexible member to engage said display assembly when adjacent the bottom of the guide member and to disengage from the display assembly when adjacent the top of the guide member, means driving the flexible member in a direction to lift the display assembly along the guide member and release the display assembly when it reaches a point adjacent the upper end of the guide member for free gravitational movement of the display assembly down the guide member independent of the flexible member, and means concealing a major portion of the guide member and display assembly during a major portion of its movement and revealing the display assembly at the top and bottom portions of its movement, rigid means extending alongside the portion of the flexible member parallel to the guide member and positioned on the opposite side of the flexible member from the guide member and forming a guide surface for maintaining the portion of the flexible member parallel to the guide member in a straight condition thereby maintaining said engaging means on the flexible member in engagement with the display assembly, said flexible member being in the form of an endless sprocket chain, a pair of vertically spaced sprocket gears, said chain being entrained over said sprocket gears, said rigid means being in the form of a vertically disposed plate engageable with the inner surface of the portion of the chain disposed adjacent the guide member, said means on the flexible member being in the form of a projection on the exterior of the chain for movement around the sprocket gears whereby the projection moves into a path parallel to the guide member as it moves around the lower sprocket gear and moves out of a path parallel to the guide member as it moves around the upper sprocket gear thereby engaging with and disengaging from the display assembly, said guide member being in the form of a vertically disposed guide rod, said guided member on the display assembly including a vertically disposed sleeve slidably mounted on the guide rod, said sleeve including a projecting lip on the upper end thereof disposed in the path of movement of the projection on the endless chain, the portion of the sleeve opposite to the lip having a projecting pin, said display assembly including a figurine connected to the pin, and vertical, laterally spaced guide plates paralleling the guide rod and receiving the projecting pin therethrough for preventing swinging movement of the sleeve and figurine about the vertical axis of the guide rod thereby maintaining the projecting lip on the sleeve in position for engagement by the projection on the endless chain.
 2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means concealing the major portion of the guide member and the display assembly during a major portion of its movement including a housing including a front panel simulative of a chimney and including a recess in the lower portion thereof simulative of a fireplace in which the figurine is positioned at its lower position with the figurine being elevated to a position above the top edge of the simulative chimney whereby the figurine moves vertically between a position within the fireplace to a position above the upper edge of the chimney, said figurine being simulative of Santa Claus.
 3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said housing includes a base having a resilient pad thereon engageable by the display assembly when it moves to a lower position for cushioning the display assembly and figurine when it strikes the base, said display assembly including a plate underlying the figurine, and means detachably securing the figurine to the plate to enable replacement thereof. 